Buffalo, NY → Ithaca, NY · Short-haul move
About 146 road miles heading east. Typical two-bedroom cost $2,570–$3,820, delivery in 1–2 days, 302 carriers on the Buffalo side and 98 in Ithaca.
Moving from Buffalo to Ithaca is a short-haul move of roughly 146 road miles, heading east within New York.
Because the two cities are close together, most companies quote this move by the hour: a crew of two to four movers plus a truck, with the drive of about 3 h 13 min counted as billable travel time. A typical two-bedroom household lands between $2,570 and $3,820, before packing or storage.
On the Buffalo side there are 302 household-goods carriers registered with the FMCSA in and around the city (91 of them authorized for interstate work), and 98 around Ithaca (36 interstate). For an in-state move you can book from either end; movers near the origin handle loading and are usually the better first call, while a destination-side company can be useful if you need storage or delivery-day help in Ithaca.
Buffalo has a population of about 274,613 and Ithaca about 32,000. The two cities have comparable density (6,890 and 5,958 people per square mile), so loading and unloading conditions are usually similar at both ends.
| Home size | Est. weight | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2,000 lb | $1,500 | $1,830 | $2,230 |
| 1 Bedroom | 3,000 lb | $1,540 | $1,880 | $2,290 |
| 2 Bedrooms | 5,000 lb | $2,570 | $3,130 | $3,820 |
| 3 Bedrooms | 8,000 lb | $4,110 | $5,010 | $6,110 |
| 4+ Bedrooms | 11,000 lb | $5,650 | $6,890 | $8,410 |
$300–$420
One-way truck for the distance, mileage and fuel included; you load and drive.
$1,150–$1,690
Container delivered, you load, company transports; transit is slower than a mover.
$2,570–$3,820
Two-bedroom reference; crew loads, hauls and unloads.
Distance is pre-filled for Buffalo, NY → Ithaca, NY. Adjust the other options to see your range.
Typical full-service range.
Estimates use market baselines described on the cost guide; your quotes will vary by inventory, access and date.
Legal name: Erie Logistics LLC
Legal name: Bulldog Movers LLC
Legal name: Richard G White
Legal name: Student Agencies INC
Legal name: Logistics Here And There LLC
Typical full-service estimates for this route are $1,500 to $2,230 for a studio, $1,540 to $2,290 for a one-bedroom, $2,570 to $3,820 for a two-bedroom, $4,110 to $6,110 for a three-bedroom and $5,650 to $8,410 for four or more bedrooms. Packing, storage, stairs and specialty items add to these figures.
About 146 road miles (124 miles in a straight line). Driving without overnight stops takes roughly 3 h 13 min.
Expect a delivery window of 1 to 2 days after pickup. Carriers give a spread rather than a fixed date because long-distance trucks carry several shipments; a dedicated truck or expedited service shortens the window for an extra fee.
No. Because both Buffalo and Ithaca are in New York, this is an intrastate move regulated by the state rather than the FMCSA. Still, choosing a carrier with an active USDOT number is the easiest way to confirm the company is a registered motor carrier with insurance on file.
A one-way rental truck for this distance typically runs $300 to $420 including mileage and fuel, and a portable container about $1,150 to $1,690. Both save money versus a full-service crew but you do the loading, and container transit can take longer than a mover's delivery window.
Rates are highest in summer and around the last days of any month, when demand peaks. Mid-month, mid-week and winter dates are usually quoted below the standard rate. Booking four to eight weeks ahead gives you the widest choice of carriers on the Buffalo–Ithaca corridor.